US11768135B2 - Waste evacuation apparatus for an automated specimen preparation system - Google Patents

Waste evacuation apparatus for an automated specimen preparation system Download PDF

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Publication number
US11768135B2
US11768135B2 US16/644,490 US201816644490A US11768135B2 US 11768135 B2 US11768135 B2 US 11768135B2 US 201816644490 A US201816644490 A US 201816644490A US 11768135 B2 US11768135 B2 US 11768135B2
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specimen
central bore
pressure monitoring
transfer device
collector
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US20200284701A1 (en
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Raymond Jenoski
Eric Grimes
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Hologic Inc
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Hologic Inc
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    • G—PHYSICS
    • G01—MEASURING; TESTING
    • G01N—INVESTIGATING OR ANALYSING MATERIALS BY DETERMINING THEIR CHEMICAL OR PHYSICAL PROPERTIES
    • G01N1/00—Sampling; Preparing specimens for investigation
    • G01N1/28—Preparing specimens for investigation including physical details of (bio-)chemical methods covered elsewhere, e.g. G01N33/50, C12Q
    • G01N1/2813—Producing thin layers of samples on a substrate, e.g. smearing, spinning-on
    • G—PHYSICS
    • G01—MEASURING; TESTING
    • G01N—INVESTIGATING OR ANALYSING MATERIALS BY DETERMINING THEIR CHEMICAL OR PHYSICAL PROPERTIES
    • G01N1/00—Sampling; Preparing specimens for investigation
    • G01N1/28—Preparing specimens for investigation including physical details of (bio-)chemical methods covered elsewhere, e.g. G01N33/50, C12Q
    • G01N1/30—Staining; Impregnating ; Fixation; Dehydration; Multistep processes for preparing samples of tissue, cell or nucleic acid material and the like for analysis
    • G01N1/31—Apparatus therefor
    • G01N1/312—Apparatus therefor for samples mounted on planar substrates
    • G—PHYSICS
    • G01—MEASURING; TESTING
    • G01N—INVESTIGATING OR ANALYSING MATERIALS BY DETERMINING THEIR CHEMICAL OR PHYSICAL PROPERTIES
    • G01N1/00—Sampling; Preparing specimens for investigation
    • G01N1/28—Preparing specimens for investigation including physical details of (bio-)chemical methods covered elsewhere, e.g. G01N33/50, C12Q
    • G01N1/2806—Means for preparing replicas of specimens, e.g. for microscopal analysis
    • G—PHYSICS
    • G01—MEASURING; TESTING
    • G01N—INVESTIGATING OR ANALYSING MATERIALS BY DETERMINING THEIR CHEMICAL OR PHYSICAL PROPERTIES
    • G01N1/00—Sampling; Preparing specimens for investigation
    • G01N1/28—Preparing specimens for investigation including physical details of (bio-)chemical methods covered elsewhere, e.g. G01N33/50, C12Q
    • G01N1/2813—Producing thin layers of samples on a substrate, e.g. smearing, spinning-on
    • G01N2001/2846—Cytocentrifuge method

Definitions

  • the present invention generally relates to preparation of cytological specimens, and more particularly, to systems and methods for automatically preparing a cytological specimen by collecting a cytological specimen from a sample container and dispensing the specimen onto an analytical element.
  • Cytology is a branch of biology dealing with the study of the formation, structure, and function of cells. As applied in a laboratory setting, cytologists, cytotechnologists, and other medical professionals make medical diagnoses of a patient's condition based on visual examination of a specimen of the patient's cells.
  • a typical cytological technique is a “pap smear” test, in which cells are scraped from a woman's cervix and analyzed in order to detect the presence of abnormal cells, a precursor to the onset of cervical cancer. Cytological techniques are also used to detect abnormal cells and disease in other parts of the human body.
  • Cytological techniques are widely employed, because collection of cell specimens for analysis is generally less invasive than traditional surgical pathological procedures such as biopsies, whereby a tissue specimen is excised from the patient using specialized biopsy needles having spring loaded translatable stylets, fixed cannulae, and the like.
  • Cell samples may be obtained from the patient by a variety of techniques including, for example, by scraping or swabbing an area, or by using a needle to aspirate body fluids from the chest cavity, bladder, spinal canal, or other appropriate area.
  • the cell samples are placed in solution and subsequently collected and transferred to a glass slide for viewing under magnification. Fixative and staining solutions may be applied to the cells on the glass slide for preserving the specimen for archival purposes and for facilitating examination.
  • the cells on the slide have a proper spatial distribution, so that individual cells can be examined.
  • a single layer of cells is typically preferred. Accordingly, preparing a specimen from a fluid sample containing many cells typically requires that the cells first be separated from each other by mechanical dispersion, fluidic shear, or other techniques so that a thin, monolayer of cells can be collected and deposited on the slide. In this manner, the cytotechnologist can more readily discern abnormal cells. The cells are also able to be counted to ensure that an adequate number of cells have been evaluated.
  • a patient's cells in a preservative fluid in a sample container are dispersed using a spinning specimen collector disposed therein.
  • a controlled vacuum is applied to the specimen collector to draw the fluid through a screen filter thereof until a desired quantity and spatial distribution of cells is collected against the filter.
  • the specimen collector is removed from the sample container and the filter portion impressed against a glass slide while positive pressure is applied to transfer the collected cells to the slide in substantially the same spatial distribution as collected.
  • the pressure during the specimen preparation process may be monitored to ensure that it is effectively performed.
  • an automated specimen preparation system for preparing a specimen (e.g., a cytological specimen) from a sample (e.g., a cytological sample) in a sample container.
  • the automated specimen preparation system comprises a specimen transfer device configured for holding a specimen collector thereon and for being positioned within the sample container.
  • the specimen collector may have a hollow cylindrical body and a membrane having pores of a selected size to capture desired particles for the specimen and to pass smaller particles and fluids.
  • the specimen transfer device may receive the hollow cylindrical body of the disposable specimen collector.
  • the specimen transfer device comprises a central bore having an open distal end and a closed proximal end, a pressure monitoring port fluidly coupled to the central bore at the proximal end of the central bore, and a fluid waste evacuation port fluidly coupled to the proximal end of the central bore.
  • the pressure monitoring port comprises a reduced diameter portion coupled directly to the central bore.
  • the reduced diameter portion may be configured for preventing liquid from entering the pressure monitoring port from the central bore.
  • the reduced diameter portion may have a diameter between 0.04 and 0.08 inches.
  • the waste fluid evacuation port may have a bottom wall that is contiguous with a bottom wall of the central bore.
  • the automated specimen preparation system further comprises a vacuum source fluidly coupled to the fluid waste evacuation port, and a pressure monitoring device fluidly coupled to the pressure monitoring port.
  • the automated specimen preparation system may optionally comprise a source of positive pressure fluidly coupled to the pressure monitoring port.
  • the automated specimen preparation system further comprises a rotating tool head on which the specimen transfer device is mounted. The rotating tool head is rotatable about an axis of rotation in a first angular position to locate the specimen collector within the sample container.
  • the automated specimen preparation system may further comprise an analytical element, in which case, the rotatable tool head may be rotatable about the axis of rotation in a second angular position to locate the specimen collector to transfer the specimen to the analytic element.
  • a specimen transfer device for use with a system for preparing a specimen from a sample in a sample container.
  • the specimen transfer device comprises a cylindrical member, a central bore within the cylindrical member having an open distal end and a closed proximal end, and a pressure monitoring port fluidly coupled to the central bore at the proximal end of the central bore.
  • the pressure monitoring port comprises a reduced diameter portion coupled directly to the central bore.
  • the reduced diameter portion may be configured for preventing liquid from entering the pressure monitoring port from the central bore.
  • the reduced diameter portion may have a diameter between 0.04 and 0.08 inches.
  • the specimen transfer device further comprises a fluid waste evacuation port fluidly coupled to the proximal end of the central bore.
  • the waste fluid evacuation port has a bottom wall that is contiguous with a bottom wall of the central bore.
  • a method of preparing a specimen (e.g., a cytological specimen) from a sample (e.g., a cytological sample) in a sample container uses a system comprises a specimen transfer device holding a specimen collector thereon.
  • the specimen transfer device comprising a central bore having an open distal end and a closed proximal end, a pressure monitoring port fluidly coupled to the central bore at the proximal end of the central bore, and a fluid waste evacuation port fluidly coupled to the proximal end of the central bore.
  • the pressure monitoring port comprises a reduced diameter portion coupled directly to the central bore.
  • the reduced diameter portion may have a diameter between 0.04 and 0.08 inches, and the waste fluid evacuation port may have a bottom wall that is contiguous with a bottom wall of the central bore.
  • the method comprises positioning the specimen collector in the sample container, collecting a specimen from the sample container with the specimen collector, preventing or minimizing waste liquid from entering the pressure monitoring port by virtue of the reduced diameter portion, detecting the pressure within the central bore via the pressure monitoring port while the specimen is collected from the sample container, repositioning the specimen collector to contact an analytical element, transferring the specimen to the analytical element, and evacuating waste liquid from the central bore via the fluid waste evacuation port.
  • the method may optionally comprise applying positive pressure to the pressure monitoring port to evacuate liquid from the pressure monitoring port.
  • the method comprises rotating the specimen collector about an axis of rotation in a first angular position to position the specimen collector in the sample container, and rotating the specimen collector about the axis of rotation in a second angular position to reposition the specimen collector in contact with the analytical element.
  • FIG. 1 is a front perspective view of an automated specimen preparation system constructed in accordance with one embodiment of the present invention
  • FIG. 2 is another front perspective view of the automated specimen preparation system of FIG. 1 ;
  • FIG. 3 is a front perspective view of the automated specimen preparation system of FIG. 1 , particularly illustrating a specimen transfer device of the automated specimen preparation system rotated in a specimen collecting position;
  • FIG. 4 is a front perspective view of the automated specimen preparation system of FIG. 1 , particularly illustrating the specimen transfer device rotated in a specimen transferring position;
  • FIG. 5 shows a cross-sectional view of one typical embodiment of a specimen transfer device for use in the automated specimen preparation system of FIG. 1 ;
  • FIG. 6 shows a cross-sectional view of an improved embodiment of a specimen transfer device for use in the automated specimen preparation system of FIG. 1 ;
  • FIG. 7 is a flow diagram illustrating one method of using the automated specimen preparation system to prepare a specimen from a sample.
  • the system 10 comprises sample container holder 16 (shown in FIG. 2 ), which includes a cylindrical receptacle or recess for seating or receiving a cylindrical sample container 12 .
  • the sample container holder 16 may be any suitable shape for receiving the particular sample container 12 being utilized with the system 12 , such as cylindrical, rectangular box, or other shape.
  • the system 10 further comprises a rotating tool head 30 and a tool head actuator 32 on which the rotating tool head 30 is mounted.
  • the tool head 30 is rotatable about an axis of rotation 33 which in this described embodiment is a lateral horizontal axis (y-axis, in the orientation shown in FIG. 1 ).
  • the tool head actuator 32 has a rotational actuator 34 coupled to the tool head 30 , which drives and controls the rotational motion of the tool head 30 .
  • the tool head actuator 32 also has a linear actuator 36 to which the rotational actuator 34 is mounted.
  • the linear actuator 36 moves the tool head actuator 32 and tool head 30 vertically up and down to control the vertical position of the tool head 32 .
  • the linear actuator 36 is mounted to a back wall of a chassis 14 upon which the system is mounted.
  • the system 10 comprises a number of tools that are disposed on the tool head 30 for manipulating a sample and various consumables used by the system 10 in preparing a specimen and/or an aliquot sample.
  • Each of these tools is located on the tool head 30 at a different angular position about the axis of rotation 33 , and thus, rotates and moves with the tool head 30 as the tool head 30 is rotated about the axis of rotation 33 by the tool head actuator 32 .
  • the actuation of the tool head 30 positions each of these tools in a location to perform their respective functions, as described herein.
  • a specimen transfer device 40 (shown in FIG. 2 ), which is configured to prepare a cytological specimen (e.g., a microscope slide having a specimen of the sample applied to it) which can be used for cytological analysis, such as pathology.
  • the specimen transfer device 40 collects a specimen from the sample in the sample container 12 and transfers the collected specimen to an analytical element 50 (e.g., a slide).
  • the specimen transfer device 40 includes a cylindrical member 52 which extends radially outward from the tool head 30 .
  • the cylindrical member 52 is configured to receive a disposable specimen collector 54 (shown in FIGS. 3 and 4 ) which slides onto the cylindrical member 52 .
  • the specimen collector 54 includes a hollow cylindrical body having an open proximal end and a membrane spanning across its distal end.
  • the membrane may be a screen filter or other suitable membrane having pores of a selected size to capture desired particles for the specimen and to pass smaller particles and fluids.
  • the specimen collector 54 When installed on the cylindrical member 52 , the specimen collector 54 extends beyond the end of the cylindrical member 52 a sufficient distance to allow the specimen collector 54 to be inserted into the sample within the sample container 12 to collect a specimen on the membrane of the specimen collector 54 without contacting the cylindrical member 52 (or any part of the specimen transfer device 40 ) to the sample, such that only the only the specimen collector 54 contacts the sample. This ensures that the specimen transfer device 40 is not contaminated by the sample material when it collects a specimen from the sample container 12 . Once the specimen transfer device 40 has collected a specimen onto the specimen collector 54 , it is then manipulated to transfer the specimen from the specimen collector 54 to the analytical element 50 , as described in more detail below.
  • the tool head 30 may be rotated about the axis of rotation 33 in a first angular position to locate the specimen collector 54 within the sample container 12 ( FIG. 3 ) and a second angular position to transfer the specimen from the specimen collector 54 to the analytical element 50 ( FIG. 4 ).
  • the tool head 30 is rotated and translated to position the specimen collector 54 on the specimen transfer device 40 in position to collect a specimen from the sample container 12 onto the membrane of the specimen collector 54 .
  • the specimen transfer device 40 is operated to collect a specimen onto the membrane of the specimen collector 54 by forcing the sample back and forth through the membrane either by a cycling vacuum and/or by moving the specimen collector 54 up and down, such as by moving the tool head 30 via the tool head actuator 32 . This process allows a thin layer or single layer of particles, such as cells, to be collected on the membrane of the specimen collector 54 .
  • the tool head 30 is rotated and translated to position the specimen collector 54 on the specimen transfer device 40 in position to transfer the specimen on the membrane to the analytical element 50 .
  • the specimen transfer device 40 and/or an analytical element positioner 56 are then manipulated to contact the membrane having the specimen thereon onto the analytical element 50 .
  • the tool head 30 may be moved via the tool head actuator 32 to manipulate the specimen transfer device 40 .
  • the specimen transfer device 40 rotates from a specimen collecting position (shown in FIG. 3 ) to a specimen transferring position (shown in FIG. 4 ). Due to gravity, waste fluid may become trapped in the specimen transfer device 40 during this rotation.
  • a typical arrangement for the specimen transfer device 40 comprises cylindrical member 52 , a central bore 60 extending from a proximal closed end 62 to a distal opening 64 of the specimen transfer device 40 .
  • the cylindrical member 52 is configured for holding the specimen collector 54 (described above) thereon. Prior to specimen collection, the disposable specimen collector 54 is slid onto the distal end of the cylindrical member 52 .
  • the specimen transfer device 40 further comprises a pressure monitoring port 66 , which is fluidly coupled between the central bore 60 at the proximal closed end 62 of the specimen transfer device 40 and a pressure monitor (not shown) for monitoring the pressure in the central bore 60 .
  • the pressure monitoring port 66 has a constant diameter along its length.
  • the specimen transfer device 40 further comprises a waste fluid evacuation port 68 , which is fluidly coupled between the central bore 60 at the proximal closed end 62 of the specimen transfer device 40 and a source of vacuum (not shown) for waste fluid evacuation.
  • the waste fluid evacuation port 68 is positioned slightly distal to the proximal end 62 of the specimen transfer device 40 .
  • waste fluid is evacuated through the evacuation port 68 during specimen collection.
  • gravity may cause waste fluid 70 to collect in the closed proximal end 62 of the specimen transfer device 40 and in the pressure monitoring port 66 .
  • fluid in the pressure monitoring port 66 may cause errors in pressure monitoring, and fluid buildup in the closed proximal end 62 of the specimen transfer device 40 may cause problems with cell transfer and spot quality.
  • an improved specimen transfer device 40 ′ is similar to the specimen transfer device 40 shown in FIG. 5 in that it comprises a central bore 60 ′ that extends from a proximal closed end 62 ′ to a distal opening 64 ′ of the specimen transfer device 40 ′, and further comprises a pressure monitoring port 66 ′, which is fluidly coupled between the central bore 60 ′ at the proximal closed end 62 ′ of the specimen transfer device 40 ′ and a pressure monitor (not shown) for monitoring the pressure in the central bore 60 ′, and a waste fluid evacuation port 68 ′, which is fluidly coupled between the central bore 60 ′ at the closed proximal end 62 ′ of the specimen transfer device 40 ′ and a source of vacuum (not shown) for waste fluid evacuation.
  • the specimen transfer device 40 ′ shown in FIG. 6 has the same outer dimensions and shape as the specimen transfer device 40 shown in FIG. 5 . As such, the specimen transfer device 40 ′ can easily be used in place of the specimen transfer device 40 ′
  • the specimen transfer device 40 ′ shown in FIG. 6 differs from the specimen transfer device 40 shown in FIG. 5 in that the pressure monitoring port 66 ′ has a reduced inner diameter portion 67 ′.
  • the portion of the pressure monitoring port 66 ′ that is in directly fluid communication with the central bore 60 ′ has a reduced inner diameter.
  • the inner diameter of the reduced inner diameter portion 67 ′ may be small enough to prevent fluid from entering the pressure monitoring port 66 ′ due to surface tension of fluid molecules.
  • the reduced inner diameter portion 67 ′ may be 0.04-0.08 inches in diameter, and may preferably be 0.06 inches in diameter.
  • positive pressure may be applied through the pressure monitoring port 66 ′ via a source of positive pressure (not shown) in order to evacuate any fluid waste that may enter the pressure monitoring port 66 ′.
  • the waste fluid evacuation port 68 ′ may be positioned as low as possible. As shown in FIG. 6 , the bottom wall 69 ′ of the waste fluid evacuation port 68 ′ is contiguous with the bottom wall 61 ′ of the central bore 60 ′.
  • the specimen collector 54 is installed on the specimen transfer device 40 ′ (step 102 ), and the specimen collector 54 is rotated about the axis of rotation 33 in the first angular position (specimen collecting position) to position the specimen collector 54 in the sample container 12 (step 104 ).
  • a specimen is collected from the sample container 12 with the specimen collector 54 (step 106 ). In this particular embodiment, this is accomplished by cycling vacuum through the central bore 60 ′ of the specimen transfer device 40 ′ to collect the specimen on the membrane of the specimen collector 54 . Pressure is detected within the central bore 60 ′ of the specimen transfer device 40 ′ via the pressure monitoring port 66 ′ while the specimen is collected from the sample container 12 (step 108 ).
  • the specimen collector 54 is rotated about the axis of rotation 33 in the second angular position (specimen transferring position) to reposition the specimen collector 54 in contact with the analytical element 50 (step 110 ), and the specimen is transferred from the specimen collector 54 to the analytical element 50 (step 112 ).
  • Waste liquid is prevented or minimized from entering the pressure monitoring port 66 ′ by virtue of the reduced diameter portion 67 ′ of the pressure monitoring port 66 ′ (step 114 ).
  • positive pressure can be applied to the pressure monitoring port 66 ′ to evacuate any liquid therefrom (step 116 ). Any waste liquid is then evacuated from the central bore 60 ′ of the specimen transfer device 40 ′ via the fluid waste evacuation port 69 ′ (step 118 ).
  • the methods of the present invention do not require all of the steps of the method, but may include any combination of sub-processes of the overall method. Moreover, the methods of the present invention do not require the steps be performed in any particular order, unless logic or the description explicitly requires the steps to be performed in a particular order. For example, describing that a step or steps occurs before or after another step or steps does not explicitly require such order, but only describes the order for clarity and convenience of the description.

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  • Life Sciences & Earth Sciences (AREA)
  • Health & Medical Sciences (AREA)
  • General Health & Medical Sciences (AREA)
  • Chemical & Material Sciences (AREA)
  • Analytical Chemistry (AREA)
  • Biochemistry (AREA)
  • Physics & Mathematics (AREA)
  • General Physics & Mathematics (AREA)
  • Immunology (AREA)
  • Pathology (AREA)
  • Engineering & Computer Science (AREA)
  • Biomedical Technology (AREA)
  • Molecular Biology (AREA)
  • Sampling And Sample Adjustment (AREA)
  • Automatic Analysis And Handling Materials Therefor (AREA)
US16/644,490 2017-09-05 2018-08-29 Waste evacuation apparatus for an automated specimen preparation system Active 2040-09-16 US11768135B2 (en)

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US201762554458P 2017-09-05 2017-09-05
PCT/US2018/048495 WO2019050734A1 (fr) 2017-09-05 2018-08-29 Appareil d'évacuation de déchets pour un système de préparation de spécimens automatisé
US16/644,490 US11768135B2 (en) 2017-09-05 2018-08-29 Waste evacuation apparatus for an automated specimen preparation system

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EP (1) EP3679342B1 (fr)
JP (1) JP7041742B2 (fr)
KR (1) KR102478209B1 (fr)
CN (1) CN111051846B (fr)
AU (1) AU2018329543B2 (fr)
BR (1) BR112020003663B1 (fr)
CA (1) CA3073743C (fr)
IL (1) IL273074B (fr)
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BR112020003663A2 (pt) 2020-09-01
IL273074B (en) 2020-09-30
JP2020532730A (ja) 2020-11-12
WO2019050734A1 (fr) 2019-03-14
SG11202001435PA (en) 2020-03-30
CN111051846A (zh) 2020-04-21
CN111051846B (zh) 2022-10-18
BR112020003663B1 (pt) 2023-10-31
US20200284701A1 (en) 2020-09-10
CA3073743A1 (fr) 2019-03-14
KR102478209B1 (ko) 2022-12-15
KR20200047559A (ko) 2020-05-07
AU2018329543A1 (en) 2020-03-05
AU2018329543B2 (en) 2020-10-22
EP3679342B1 (fr) 2022-04-13
CA3073743C (fr) 2024-01-02
EP3679342A1 (fr) 2020-07-15
IL273074A (en) 2020-04-30

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